If you're a solo traveler, you probably know that most travel companies require a single supplement – a surcharge of between 10% and 100% of the standard rate. However, Grand Circle travelers enjoy their own room or cabin at FREE or low-cost Single Supplements, saving up to $5000 per person.

FREE or Low-Cost Single Supplements

If you're a solo traveler, you probably know that most travel companies require a single supplement – a surcharge of between 10% and 100% of the standard rate. However, Grand Circle travelers enjoy their own room or cabin at FREE or low-cost Single Supplements, saving up to $5000 per person.

FREE Single Supplements on All Adventures and Extensions

If you're a solo traveler, you probably know that most travel companies require a single supplement – a surcharge of between 10% and 100% of the standard rate. However, OAT travelers enjoy their own room or cabin at no extra cost, saving up to $3795 per person.

Grand Circle Foundation: Single Supplements

There is a supplement of $425 for single room accommodations. Single rooms are very limited.

Stretch your dollar even further

Enjoy autumn as you travel from Istanbul to Antalya with temperate weather and without the crowds of summer, giving you more opportunity for discovery. Plus, take advantage of a healthier U.S. dollar versus the Lira; the exchange rate is at its strongest in more than 10 years. This means you'll have more money to spend sampling regional cuisine at local restaurants, to experience local attractions in your free time and to shop for those must-have keepsakes. There are fewer than 20 rooms left available. Call today to reserve!

Day by Day Itinerary

East greets West on this comprehensive tour of Turkey that embraces the many facets of this diverse nation. Experience the exotic allure of Istanbul at the monumental Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Enter the fascinating underground dwellings in Cappadocia. And explore some of the oldest—and best-preserved—ruins of ancient empires along the deeply carved Turquoise Coast, including those in beautiful Antalya and fascinating Ephesus. Throughout your European guided tour, your Turkish Program Director provides insights as only a native can, drawing back the curtain to reveal the drama of everyday life in both bustling cities and tiny villages.

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Arrive in Istanbul this morning or afternoon. A Grand Circle representative meets you at the airport and helps you with the transfer to your hotel, where you'll meet your fellow travelers, including those who have completed their Athens, Greece pre-trip extension.

Turkey sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Approximately 97% of the country sits in Asia, and is called Anatolia. Though only 3% of Turkey (the part called Thrace) is in Europe, it is accepted in the European community, and the country participates in many European associations and contests. At present, Turkey is in the negotiating process to become a full member of the European Union.

Enjoy dinner on your own this evening.

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After breakfast, enjoy an orientation walk with your Program Director. Then begin your European guided tour with some sightseeing in this city on the Bosporus—formerly Constantinople and the seat of the Eastern Roman Empire. In the morning, visit Topkapi Palace, the maze of opulent buildings that was the center of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. The Topkapi was a city-palace with a population of approximately 4,000 people. It housed all the Ottoman sultans from Sultan Mehmet II to Abdulmecit—nearly 600 years and 25 sultans. This palace, where the sultans and their courts lived and governed, is now one of the world's richest museums. You'll see its magnificent gardens, courts, and galleries exhibiting the imperial collection of crystal, silver, fabled jewels, and Chinese porcelain.

After a lunch break on your own in the historical center of the city, your included tour continues at the Hagia Sophia, a museum that was once an Islamic mosque and the largest church in the world. It is the single most famous example of a Byzantine structure, and contains breathtaking mosaics and frescoes.

Next, visit the supremely elegant Sultan Ahmet Mosque, with its six heavenly minarets. Built between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Mehmet, under the orders of Sultan Ahmet I, the building is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque, because its interior gleams with a magnificent paneling of blue-and-white Iznik tiles. The mosque is part of a large complex consisting of tombs, medreses (theological schools), fountains, a health center, homes, storehouses, and other buildings.

Finish the tour with a stroll through Istanbul's bustling Grand Bazaar, exploring a labyrinth of streets and passages housing 3,600 shops. The street names recall the days when each trade had its own quarter: goldsmiths' street, carpet sellers' street, and the street of the skullcap-makers. Browse among world-renowned Turkish carpets, brilliant hand-painted ceramics, copper and brassware, gleaming gold jewelry, and antiques. You have about an hour of free time to explore and shop in the bazaar.

This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers at a local restaurant.

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Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Istanbul on your own. Perhaps you'll want to see Turkey in a more recent light: Visit the Istanbul Modern, a museum at dockside of the Bosporus dedicated to an awareness of traditional and contemporary Turkish art, as well as a desire to integrate with the international art world.

Or join us for a full-day optional East Meets West tour. First, you visit the extraordinary Dolmabahce Palace, built in the mid-19th century by order of Sultan Abdul Mecit I. The Sultan's architect was given the order that this building should "surpass the palace of any potentate anywhere in the world." The architect certainly fulfilled the order, as the facade of the palace stretches for more than 1,200 feet on the European shores of the Bosporus. Its vast reception salon, with 56 columns and a huge crystal chandelier (weighing four and a half tons and lit by 750 lights), never fails to astonish visitors.

Next, you'll board a private boat for a cruise on the Northern Bosporus. Sail back to the European side at Tarabya and disembark for lunch at a seafood restaurant overlooking the Bosporus. Afterwards, visit the Sadberk Hanim Museum, a privately funded collection of furniture, art, and antiquities housed in a villa decorated in a traditional Ottoman style.

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This morning, take in the bustle, bold scents, and vibrant hues of Istanbul's Spice Bazaar, an Ottoman-era marketplace built in 1660, before departing for Canakkale.

After lunch on your own en route, you'll visit the World War I battlefields of Gallipoli in the early afternoon. Gallipoli was the scene of famous and often tragic World War I battles in 1915 and 1916. Allied troops (mainly "ANZACS," Australia and New Zealand combined forces) landed in April of 1915, and there was fierce fighting across the peninsula through January of 1916. At Gallipoli National Park, you'll see war memorials, along with Turkish and Allied cemeteries. The natural beauty of this area, with its green hills rolling down to sparkling blue waters, is surely a fitting resting place honoring the 500,000 soldiers who were wounded or died here.

Then, you'll ferry across the Dardanelles to the Asian side of Turkey, and arrive at your hotel in the early evening.

Dinner is at your hotel tonight, and your evening is at leisure.

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This morning, transfer to Izmir, your home for the next three nights. Your full-day scenic drive offers dramatic seaside views of the Dardanelles, the narrow strait between Europe (the Gallipoli Peninsula) and Asia.

In mid-morning, you'll stop to visit legendary Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is the city where, in Homer's monumental Iliad, Helen's face is said to have launched a thousand ships. Until 1870, it was thought that Troy was a fictional place. In this year, the German businessman Heinrich Schliemann began excavations in a location he deduced from his readings of the Iliad. Remarkably, he uncovered the historical city of Troy.

Then, continue to a nearby village to enjoy an exclusive Discovery Series event—lunch in the home of a local family. Connect with your hosts as you exchange stories and share a traditional meal.

Once you arrive in Izmir, enjoy a brief orientation of the city by bus. Then, enjoy dinner at your hotel and the evening at leisure in Izmir.

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In the first millennium BC, Izmir, then known as Smyrna, ranked as one of the most important cities of the Ionian region. Legend has it that Homer, poet and author of The Iliad and The Odyssey, was born here.

Enjoy a tour of the city, the third-largest in modern Turkey. The city lies at the head of a long and narrow gulf furrowed by ships and yachts. Behind the palm-lined promenades and avenues that follow the shoreline, the city ascends the slopes of the surrounding mountains in horizontal terraces. The original city of Izmir was established in the third millennium BC, at which time it shared with Troy the most advanced culture in Western Anatolia.

Early this evening, enjoy a special Discovery Series slide show with music, Our Land, Our People, presented by the internationally known photographer Yusuf Tuvi, who was born in Izmir in 1938. Later, dinner is at the hotel.

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Spend the day at leisure exploring Izmir’s landmarks, perhaps including the Velvet Fortress built by Alexander the Great.

Or, join us on an optional full-day tour to Pergamum, an important cultural center built high on a hilltop. Pergamum became one of the most important cities of the Hellenic era when it was willed to Rome in the second century BC. It was known as a center of medicine, where the famous doctor of antiquity, Galen, worked in the Asklepeion (sanatorium) and wrote several hundred medical books. During the Christian period, its Temple of Serapis was converted to a basilica dedicated to St. John, and the city is featured in the saint's Book of Revelation.

During your tour, you’ll stop to view the remarkably well-preserved ancient city and fascinating ruins at Pergamum, which was home to a library of more than 200,000 parchment volumes. Learn about the history and culture during a visit to the Museum of Pergamum, and get a glimpse of the modern-day city when you break for an included lunch.

Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening.

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On the way, stop to explore Ephesus, the best-preserved and most extensive (2,000 acres) classical Roman city in Asia. Located 60 miles from Izmir, Ephesus dates to at least 1300 BC and was once the commercial center and capital city of Roman Asia Minor, with a population that once numbered more than 300,000. One ancient legend attributes the founding of Ephesus to the Amazons of Greek mythology. Another credits the Athenian Androclus, who received advice from an oracle to establish a colony at the "place of the fish and the boar." And so, when he and his crew saw a wild pig charge out of underbrush set ablaze inadvertently by locals grilling fish, he staked his claim on the Anatolian shore.

At Ephesus, see the Great Theater, where Paul of Tarsus stood trial for bringing Christianity to the area. This is the largest structure in Ephesus, a huge semi-circular theater that was the central meeting place, and focus of social and cultural life of the city.

The city's fame in antiquity is indisputably due to its great Temple of Artemis (Diana), built in 550 BC, and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In addition to seeing other highlights, walk the Marble Way from the theater to central Ephesus and view the two-story facade of the Library of Celsus. You'll also explore the Tomb of St. John the Apostle, a remarkable site that Grand Circle Foundation has been contributing to preserve since 1992. Then, visit the Ephesus Museum to see myriad artifacts uncovered during excavation, most notably a marble statue of Artemis, the ancient Greek godess said to be the daughter of Zeus and Leto.

After lunch on your own, depart for Pamukkale, where you'll arrive in the early evening with time to relax before dining at the hotel tonight.

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After breakfast this morning, visit Pamukkale, which is famous not only for its unique geological formations, but also for its historical remains. Hot, calcium oxide-rich waters flowing down the slopes that overlook the fertile river valley have, over the millennia, built up deposits of white travertine, or limestone deposits, on the plateau. From a distance, the overflowing terraces and unusual shapes glisten like white ice and dominate the landscape. The Romans established Hierapolis (Holy City) here, primarily as a luxury health resort and thousands made use of health benefits of the calcium-rich thermal spas and pools. Hierapolis itself contains a mix of structures—baths, temples, theaters, and churches—dating from Roman, Hellenistic and Christian times. Both the ancient city's name and its modern Turkish name—Pamukkale (Cotton Castle)—fit the area perfectly.

Your visit starts at Hierapolis' Necropolis (graveyard), which, as one of the largest in Asia Minor, reveals the gravity of the health problems Romans hoped to heal here. As you'll discover late this afternoon, it is still a popular spa resort. You'll also visit the city's ancient commercial center and the Byzantine Basilica. Finally, your tour ends at the natural travertine formations—believed to have formed more than 14,000 years ago.

Continue to the town of Buldan, where you can enjoy lunch on your own and then visit a clothing cooperative, for a look into the town's local textile industry. You'll also have the opportunity to meet some of the town's residents during a visit to a local coffee shop before heading out for a tour of Buldan's bustling marketplace.

Leaving Buldan, return to your hotel, where, if you like, you can relax in the therapeutic waters of the on-site spa.

Dinner tonight is at your hotel.

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Today's transfer to Antalya reveals the beauty of Turkey's fabled Taurus Mountains. En route, you’ll stop and visit ancient Aphrodisias, named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. On a guided tour of this city, you’ll discover fascinating ruins, including the Temple of Aphrodite and its tetrapylon, or monumental gate. Tour the adjacent museum to learn more about the history of the Temple, its original construction from marble, and its later conversion into a Christian basilica. While in Aphrodisias, you’ll also visit the ancient Council House and the stadium, both of which remain well-preserved today. After an included lunch, continue on to Antalya.

You arrive in Antalya in the early evening, and have some time to relax after dinner at your hotel.

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After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour through the winding streets of the old harbor quarter of Antalya, the jewel of Turkey's Mediterranean Turquoise Coast. Set on a crescent-shaped bay, it is bounded by citrus groves, valleys, and the Taurus Mountains.

During your tour, you'll see the ramparts, Hadrian's Gate, slender minarets, and restored harbor area. Then visit the Archaeological Museum of Antalya. The artifacts here trace the path from the Stone and Bronze ages, through the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and up to the Ottoman Empire. You'll also see Ottoman ethnographic exhibits. The museum is one of Turkey's largest, and has nearly 5,000 works of art on exhibit.

You'll have the afternoon free for your own discoveries. Or, join us for an optional Magic of the Mediterranean tour to Aspendos, an ancient city dating to the fourth and fifth centuries BC. Here is the stunning ancient theater in Turkey—so well-preserved that you can see the names of Roman spectators carved into the backs of the seats—a bit of ancient graffiti. Not far from the theater are the remains of a large aqueduct from ancient times.

You'll also visit Perge, where St. Paul gave some of his first sermons. Originally settled by the Hittites in 1500 BC, Perge thrived during the Roman Empire. The ruins here, which include a theater and stadium, create an excellent impression of how an ancient city looked and felt.

Later, you are invited to attend a Discovery Series discussion on Turkey's Lost Antiquities, led by a university professor. Turkey is a land that is steeped in history, abounding with ancient artifacts—unfortunately, much of it has been lost or even stolen over the years. A professor from a local university will lead the discussion, and describe to you some of the things that have gone missing. After the discussion, you can relax over dinner at the hotel.

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After a leisurely breakfast, you'll enjoy an exclusive Discovery Series cooking lesson and learn how to prepare Turkish specialties with instructions from an Antalyan chef. The chef will describe the most popular dishes in Turkey, such as eggplant salad and halva (a popular dessert typically made from semolina and honey).

The balance of the day is at leisure. You may want to return to spend some more time in the giant open-air museum that is the Old Town. You could walk through one of the city's parks, such as the palm tree-lined Ataturk Park, or Karaalioglu, with its marvelous views over the sea. Or, just spend some time relaxing in your hotel.

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This morning, depart Antalya for Cappadocia. Your drive takes you over a scenic route through the Taurus Mountains.

At around mid-day, you'll reach the historic holy city of Konya. You'll have time for an included lunch in Konya or en route. Once known as Iconium, Konya is one of Turkey's oldest continually inhabited cities, and was home of the Whirling Dervishes. This Muslim ascetic order performed vigorous chanting and whirling dances as acts of ecstatic devotion.

Here, you visit the Mevlana Museum, containing the mausoleum of the founder of the Whirling Dervishes. Each year in December, the Dervishes mark the death of their founder, the great poet Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi, selected "Mystic of the [13th] Century" by Time magazine. Though not of the orthodox Muslim faith (a follower of Mohammed), he preached tolerance towards all peoples and religions. Rumi is revered in the world of Islam and studied widely by those of other religions—his beautifully lyrical poems have a wide appeal, and he is one of the best-selling poets in the U.S.

You arrive in Cappadocia in the early evening, and have some time to relax before dinner at your hotel.

When you first see the landscape of Cappadocia, it might just take your breath away. Ten million years ago, volcanic eruptions from Mount Erciyes and Mount Hasan blanketed this limestone plateau in central Turkey with ash and lava. When they mixed with water, the result was a mud-like substance that slowly hardened into a soft rock called tufa.

Centuries of erosion from rain, wind, and flooding from the Kizilirmak River shaped this tufa into a striking, surreal moonscape of cone-shaped pinnacles and towers, all in a variety of lovely hues. Some 300 beautifully frescoed churches and dwellings for 30,000 people were carved from the soft volcanic pinnacles between the fourth and 14th centuries. The maze of cones, windows, and chimneys is built directly into the malleable rock. Beneath these fanciful shapes lie even more wonders—underground chambers, even entire villages, some 14 stories deep.

During an included morning tour, you'll discover the underground city of Kaymakli, once a refuge from Arab, Roman, and Mongolian aggressors, as well as the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There, you'll view the ancient rock-hewn churches sculpted in the hillsides almost 1,000 years ago. Medieval Christian monks established a community of monasteries by carving their churches out of the soft volcanic stone that is part of this terrain. On the stone walls of the caves, they depicted the New Testament with paintings and vibrant frescoes. Then, continue on to the small town of Urgup, which has many carved dwellings that are still inhabited.

After your tour of Cappadocia, meet local primary and secondary students at Ortahisar, a school supported by Grand Circle Foundation, where, you'll have the opportunity to meet the friendly children who study here when class is in session.

This afternoon, after enjoying lunch on your own, join a Discovery Series Art of Pottery in Asia Minor event, offering you the opportunity to visit a cave pottery atelier. During a discussion at this workroom, you will learn about the artisans' skill and techniques used to produce the traditional pottery of the region. You will also be able to see some of the local pottery creations in the atelier.

You return to the hotel in the late afternoon, and join your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant tonight.

You can enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure to make your own discoveries. Or, join us on an optional tour, where you have the opportunity to witness a ritual dance performance by the Whirling Dervishes, monks of the Mevlevi sect of Islam founded in the 13th century. During the dance, called a sema, the dervishes believe that their souls are released from their earthly ties and are free to joyfully commune with the divine.

You can rise early this morning (weather permitting) and get a new perspective on the intriguing tufa landscapes while gliding smoothly above them on our optional hot-air balloon excursion. Sip a cup of hot coffee or tea as the crew prepares the balloon, then climb aboard. See the soft light of dawn spread over Cappadocia, as the balloon flight varies from low contour to get a good look at the sculpted tufa, to a somewhat higher altitude to give you a panoramic view of this strangely shaped landscape of eroded pillars and cones. After landing, enjoy a light breakfast on-site and celebrate your adventure with a glass of Champagne. Please note: Between November and March, this optional ballooning excursion may not be available due to weather conditions.

Later this morning, discover why the village of Avanos is known for its carpet-making. Here, you'll enjoy an informative exclusive Discovery Series discussion on the Turkish tradition of hand-looming. After lunch on your own, visit the vast Uchisar Kale (Fortress) that dominates the skyline for miles. You'll then visit the tufa formations of Pashabag, conical formations capped with basalt that are still used as storage units today.

By late afternoon, you return to the hotel, where you can enjoy an included dinner this evening.

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Travel overland to Ankara today. En route, stop to delve into a civilization that rivaled Egypt's during the second millennium BC. Begin your explorations at ancient Hattusas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of the great Hittite Kingdom—a powerful empire of the Ancient Near East that ruled from about 1600 to 1200 BC. Located high on a rocky summit, Hattusas offers a wealth of archaeological treasures that have been recovered from this former center of the kingdom, including records offering extensive details on political and religious aspects of the culture.

After an included lunch at a village in Bogazkoy, continue on to Yazilikaya, a sacred Hittite sanctuary of two chambers enclosed by natural rock formations. Hewn out of the rock are depictions of deities and a stone relief of King Tudhaliya IV that stands twelve feet high. Archaeologists estimate that the Hittites used this locale as a revered shrine as early as 1250 BC.

Here, you'll walk through an open-air cultural center featuring representations of the Hittite pantheon. The Hittite people revered up to 1,000 gods and goddesses—but you'll find the major spiritual beings—such as Teshub, the Thunderstorm God, and Hepatu, the Goddess of the Sun—depicted more frequently in sacred sites throughout the region. You'll arrive at your hotel by early evening.

Enjoy your evening at leisure.

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Ankara is a very old city, founded in 2000 BC, and there are several Roman ruins scattered throughout the metropolis. Archaeologists have also found artifacts that date back to pre-Roman periods. But you'll find that much of Ankara's character is sophisticated and modern, from the educational institutions to the art galleries, from the music to the architecture. There are three symphony orchestras and five theaters offering classic performances of ballet, opera, modern dance, and drama. On many levels, Ankara has become the cultural and political center of Turkey.

Enjoy a city tour this morning. Your first stop is at the Mausoleum of Ataturk, a tribute to the founder of modern Turkey. Ataturk (originally named Mustafa Kemal) helped lead the nation during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and transformed it into the secular republic that stands today. He was Turkey's first president and is now considered its most revered historic leader. Local artisans created the statues, adornments, and reliefs you see throughout the complex that combine ancient and modern architectural styles. It is an impressive site, with a large colonnaded courtyard, a Hall of Honor with mosaics of gold leaf on the ceiling, floors of colored marble, and a 40-ton sarcophagus. A group of statues near the towered entrance represent the three strengths of a nation—defense, productivity, and education.

Then, visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, the finest Hittite museum in the country. It details the many cultures that have inhabited this region, starting as far back as the Paleolithic Age. The museum houses a priceless collection of artifacts from Neolithic, Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Persian, Galatian, and Roman times. The two buildings themselves, a caravansary (an overnight site for caravans) and a bedesten (covered bazaar), are Ottoman structures that date to the 15th century. Vendors abound in this area, adding to the local color with their fragrant spices, dried fruits, and traditional Turkish handcrafts for sale.

Your tour continues to the oldest part of the city where you'll explore Ankara Castle, perched high on a hill overlooking the city. Little remains of the original complex, built by the Galatians, but much of the architecture from its Roman, Byzantine, and Selcuk eras may still be admired. You'll tour the Old Town just inside the castle walls, an area where the traditional housing was concentrated during the 16th century for protection within the fortifications. Other highlights of the castle district include the Roman theater, the Temple of Augustus, the Roman Bath, and the Column of Julian.

Enjoy lunch on your own and the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Though Ankara's origins are from ancient times, most of the city is modern and well-planned. You can stroll its wide boulevards, take a quiet walk in a groomed park, or browse its elegant boutiques.

Extensions

Named for the mythical goddess of wisdom—Athena—Athens has inspired some of the world’s greatest philosophers and dramatists, embraced a colorful mythology, and laid the groundwork for democracy as we know it. Discover important highlights of antiquity from Athens to the Peloponnesian Peninsula on this discovery-filled extension.

The cities you visit on this extension—Harran, Gaziantep, Antioch, Tarsus—are steeped in religious history, dating back to the time of St. Peter and St. Paul. Discover the birthplace of St. Paul … marvel at the kaleidoscopic designs of the second-richest mosaic museum in the world … and tour the ancient city of Harran, the town of Abraham in the Old Testament.

Optional Tours

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East Meets West

Day 4 $120 per person

Join us for a full-day optional East Meets West tour. First, you visit the extraordinary Dolmabahce Palace, built in the mid-19th century by order of Sultan Abdul Mecit I. The facade of the palace stretches for more than 1,200 feet on the European shores of the Bosporus. Its vast reception salon, with 56 columns and a huge crystal chandelier (weighing four and a half tons and lit by 750 lights) never fails to astonish visitors. Next you'll board a private boat for a cruise on the Northern Bosporus. You cruise back to the European side at Tarabya and disembark for lunch at a seafood restaurant overlooking the Bosporus. Afterwards, we visit the Sadbergk Hanim Museum, a private collection of furniture, art, and antiquities housed in a villa decorated in traditional Ottoman style. The cost of this optional tour includes lunch.

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Pergamum

Day 8 $85 per person

On this optional full-day tour you visit Pergamum, an important cultural center built high on a hilltop. We stop to view the fascinating ruins at Pergamum, a remarkably well-preserved ancient city, which was home to a library of more than 200,000 parchment volumes. Pergamum was known as a center of medicine where the famous doctor of antiquity, Galen, worked in the Asklepeion (sanatorium) and wrote several hundred medical books. During the Christian period, its Temple of Serapis was converted to a basilica dedicated to St. John, and the city is featured in the saint's Book of Revelation.

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Magic of the Mediterranean

Day 12 $60 per person

Join us for an optional Magic of the Mediterranean tour to Aspendos, an ancient city dating to the fourth and fifth centuries BC. Here is the stunning ancient theater in Turkey, so well-preserved, in fact, that you can see the names of Roman spectators carved into the backs of the seats—a bit of ancient graffiti. You'll also visit Perge, where St. Paul gave some of his first sermons. Originally settled by the Hittites in 1500 BC, Perge thrived during the Roman Empire. The ruins here, which include an ancient theater and stadium, create an excellent impression of the look and feel of an ancient city.

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Whirling Dervishes

Day 15 $35 per person

On this evening optional tour, you'll have the opportunity to witness a ritual dance performance by the Whirling Dervishes, monks of the Mevlevi sect of Islam founded in the 13th century. During the dance, called a sema, the dervishes believe that their souls are released from their earthly ties and are free to joyfully commune with the divine. The dervishes spin shoulder to shoulder, both around their own axis and around one other, representing the Earth revolving on its own axis while orbiting the sun. The dancers are silent while performing the sema, accompanied by drums and chanting, as the ritual gradually transforms itself into rapid, spinning ecstasy.

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Ballooning Over Moonscape

Day 16 $195 per person

You can rise early with us this morning (weather permitting) and get a new perspective on the intriguing tufa landscapes, while gliding smoothly above them on this optional hot-air balloon excursion. Sip a cup of hot coffee or tea as the crew prepares the balloon, then climb aboard. See the soft light of dawn spread over Cappadocia, as the balloon flight varies from low contour to get a good look at the sculpted tufa, to a somewhat higher altitude to give you a panoramic view of this strangely shaped landscape of eroded pillars and cones. After a gentle landing, enjoy a light breakfast on-site and celebrate your adventure with a glass of Champagne. You will receive a flight certificate to acknowledge your airborne experience.

Traveler Reviews

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Questions and Answers

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Questions and Answers

Want to know more about one of our vacations? Now, when you post a question, travelers who have been on that trip can provide you with an honest, unbiased answer based on their experience—providing you with a true insider’s perspective.

Weather & Regional

Before you travel, we encourage you to learn about the region of the world you'll discover on this trip. From weather and currency information to details on population, geography, and local history, you'll find a comprehensive introduction to your destinations below.

Visit our “What to Know” page to find information about the level of activity to expect, vaccination information resources, and visa requirements specific to this vacation.

Geographically, western Turkey is in Europe, while the rest of the country is in Anatolia and Asia Minor. As you move from the west to the east, the altitude goes up, first in the hills of Cappadocia and then again in the mountains of the Eastern Anatolia region. For eastern Turkey, think hilly and chilly. Snow is common in the winter (December-March), and so are below-freezing temperatures. Even during summer (June-August), when the days may be very warm, there can be a significant drop in temperature at night. No matter the season, wear layers so you can adjust when the weather changes. As we move towards the southern part of eastern Turkey, we descend towards the river valleys of the Tigris and the Euphrates. This area is hotter and drier, and as we approach the Syrian border, more like the Middle East.

Jan

Avg. High46

Avg. Low37

Avg. Inches of Precipitation3.7

Feb

Avg. High47

Avg. Low37

Avg. Inches of Precipitation2.8

Mar

Avg. High51

Avg. Low40

Avg. Inches of Precipitation2.3

Apr

Avg. High60

Avg. Low47

Avg. Inches of Precipitation1.7

May

Avg. High69

Avg. Low54

Avg. Inches of Precipitation1.2

June

Avg. High78

Avg. Low62

Avg. Inches of Precipitation0.9

July

Avg. High82

Avg. Low66

Avg. Inches of Precipitation0.7

Aug

Avg. High82

Avg. Low67

Avg. Inches of Precipitation0.6

Sept

Avg. High76

Avg. Low61

Avg. Inches of Precipitation1.1

Oct

Avg. High67

Avg. Low55

Avg. Inches of Precipitation2.1

Nov

Avg. High57

Avg. Low47

Avg. Inches of Precipitation3.5

Dec

Avg. High50

Avg. Low42

Avg. Inches of Precipitation4.0

Area: 302,535 square miles

Capital: Ankara

Languages: Turkish is the official language; Kurdish is also spoken.

Geography: Turkey’s interior is a high, arid plateau bordered in the north and south by rugged mountains. The country has a Mediterranean climate of dry, hot summers and mild, pleasant winters.

Time zone: Turkey is on Eastern European Time, seven hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in New York, it is 1pm in Ankara. Daylight Saving Time begins the last Monday in March and ends the last Sunday in October.

It’s easy to understand foreign currency with our Currency Cheat Sheet. Simply choose the currency you will be using on your trip from the drop-down menu below. The pop-up window will display the real-time conversion of the U.S. dollar to your selected currency.

The Turkish lira (TL) is the official currency of Turkey. Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

Geographically, western Turkey is in Europe, while the rest of the country is in Anatolia and Asia Minor. As you move from the west to the east, the altitude goes up, first in the hills of Cappadocia and then again in the mountains of the Eastern Anatolia region. For eastern Turkey, think hilly and chilly. Snow is common in the winter (December-March), and so are below-freezing temperatures. Even during summer (June-August), when the days may be very warm, there can be a significant drop in temperature at night. No matter the season, wear layers so you can adjust when the weather changes. As we move towards the southern part of eastern Turkey, we descend towards the river valleys of the Tigris and the Euphrates. This area is hotter and drier, and as we approach the Syrian border, more like the Middle East.

Jan

Avg. High53

Avg. Low39

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Feb

Avg. High54

Avg. Low40

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Mar

Avg. High60

Avg. Low44

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Apr

Avg. High68

Avg. Low50

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

May

Avg. High77

Avg. Low57

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

June

Avg. High87

Avg. Low64

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

July

Avg. High91

Avg. Low68

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Aug

Avg. High90

Avg. Low67

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Sept

Avg. High84

Avg. Low61

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Oct

Avg. High74

Avg. Low55

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Nov

Avg. High63

Avg. Low47

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Dec

Avg. High55

Avg. Low42

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Area: 302,535 square miles

Capital: Ankara

Languages: Turkish is the official language; Kurdish is also spoken.

Geography: Turkey’s interior is a high, arid plateau bordered in the north and south by rugged mountains. The country has a Mediterranean climate of dry, hot summers and mild, pleasant winters.

Time zone: Turkey is on Eastern European Time, seven hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in New York, it is 1pm in Ankara. Daylight Saving Time begins the last Monday in March and ends the last Sunday in October.

It’s easy to understand foreign currency with our Currency Cheat Sheet. Simply choose the currency you will be using on your trip from the drop-down menu below. The pop-up window will display the real-time conversion of the U.S. dollar to your selected currency.

The Turkish lira (TL) is the official currency of Turkey. Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

Geographically, western Turkey is in Europe, while the rest of the country is in Anatolia and Asia Minor. As you move from the west to the east, the altitude goes up, first in the hills of Cappadocia and then again in the mountains of the Eastern Anatolia region. For eastern Turkey, think hilly and chilly. Snow is common in the winter (December-March), and so are below-freezing temperatures. Even during summer (June-August), when the days may be very warm, there can be a significant drop in temperature at night. No matter the season, wear layers so you can adjust when the weather changes. As we move towards the southern part of eastern Turkey, we descend towards the river valleys of the Tigris and the Euphrates. This area is hotter and drier, and as we approach the Syrian border, more like the Middle East.

Jan

Avg. High58

Avg. Low41

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Feb

Avg. High58

Avg. Low42

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Mar

Avg. High63

Avg. Low45

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Apr

Avg. High70

Avg. Low51

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

May

Avg. High77

Avg. Low58

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

June

Avg. High86

Avg. Low66

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

July

Avg. High92

Avg. Low71

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Aug

Avg. High92

Avg. Low71

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Sept

Avg. High88

Avg. Low65

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Oct

Avg. High79

Avg. Low57

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Nov

Avg. High68

Avg. Low50

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Dec

Avg. High60

Avg. Low44

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Area: 302,535 square miles

Capital: Ankara

Languages: Turkish is the official language; Kurdish is also spoken.

Geography: Turkey’s interior is a high, arid plateau bordered in the north and south by rugged mountains. The country has a Mediterranean climate of dry, hot summers and mild, pleasant winters.

Time zone: Turkey is on Eastern European Time, seven hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in New York, it is 1pm in Ankara. Daylight Saving Time begins the last Monday in March and ends the last Sunday in October.

It’s easy to understand foreign currency with our Currency Cheat Sheet. Simply choose the currency you will be using on your trip from the drop-down menu below. The pop-up window will display the real-time conversion of the U.S. dollar to your selected currency.

The Turkish lira (TL) is the official currency of Turkey. Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

Geographically, western Turkey is in Europe, while the rest of the country is in Anatolia and Asia Minor. As you move from the west to the east, the altitude goes up, first in the hills of Cappadocia and then again in the mountains of the Eastern Anatolia region. For eastern Turkey, think hilly and chilly. Snow is common in the winter (December-March), and so are below-freezing temperatures. Even during summer (June-August), when the days may be very warm, there can be a significant drop in temperature at night. No matter the season, wear layers so you can adjust when the weather changes. As we move towards the southern part of eastern Turkey, we descend towards the river valleys of the Tigris and the Euphrates. This area is hotter and drier, and as we approach the Syrian border, more like the Middle East.

Jan

Avg. High39

Avg. Low19

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Feb

Avg. High42

Avg. Low20

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Mar

Avg. High55

Avg. Low29

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Apr

Avg. High65

Avg. Low37

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

May

Avg. High72

Avg. Low44

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

June

Avg. High80

Avg. Low50

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

July

Avg. High87

Avg. Low54

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Aug

Avg. High88

Avg. Low55

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Sept

Avg. High80

Avg. Low46

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Oct

Avg. High70

Avg. Low39

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Nov

Avg. High55

Avg. Low29

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Dec

Avg. High42

Avg. Low23

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Area: 302,535 square miles

Capital: Ankara

Languages: Turkish is the official language; Kurdish is also spoken.

Geography: Turkey’s interior is a high, arid plateau bordered in the north and south by rugged mountains. The country has a Mediterranean climate of dry, hot summers and mild, pleasant winters.

Time zone: Turkey is on Eastern European Time, seven hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in New York, it is 1pm in Ankara. Daylight Saving Time begins the last Monday in March and ends the last Sunday in October.

It’s easy to understand foreign currency with our Currency Cheat Sheet. Simply choose the currency you will be using on your trip from the drop-down menu below. The pop-up window will display the real-time conversion of the U.S. dollar to your selected currency.

The Turkish lira (TL) is the official currency of Turkey. Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

Geographically, western Turkey is in Europe, while the rest of the country is in Anatolia and Asia Minor. As you move from the west to the east, the altitude goes up, first in the hills of Cappadocia and then again in the mountains of the Eastern Anatolia region. For eastern Turkey, think hilly and chilly. Snow is common in the winter (December-March), and so are below-freezing temperatures. Even during summer (June-August), when the days may be very warm, there can be a significant drop in temperature at night. No matter the season, wear layers so you can adjust when the weather changes. As we move towards the southern part of eastern Turkey, we descend towards the river valleys of the Tigris and the Euphrates. This area is hotter and drier, and as we approach the Syrian border, more like the Middle East.

Jan

Avg. High47

Avg. Low34

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Feb

Avg. High50

Avg. Low36

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Mar

Avg. High60

Avg. Low41

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Apr

Avg. High71

Avg. Low50

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

May

Avg. High81

Avg. Low58

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

June

Avg. High92

Avg. Low67

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

July

Avg. High100

Avg. Low74

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Aug

Avg. High100

Avg. Low74

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Sept

Avg. High92

Avg. Low67

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Oct

Avg. High79

Avg. Low56

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Nov

Avg. High67

Avg. Low48

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Dec

Avg. High53

Avg. Low40

Avg. Inches of Precipitation---

Area: 302,535 square miles

Capital: Ankara

Languages: Turkish is the official language; Kurdish is also spoken.

Geography: Turkey’s interior is a high, arid plateau bordered in the north and south by rugged mountains. The country has a Mediterranean climate of dry, hot summers and mild, pleasant winters.

Time zone: Turkey is on Eastern European Time, seven hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in New York, it is 1pm in Ankara. Daylight Saving Time begins the last Monday in March and ends the last Sunday in October.

It’s easy to understand foreign currency with our Currency Cheat Sheet. Simply choose the currency you will be using on your trip from the drop-down menu below. The pop-up window will display the real-time conversion of the U.S. dollar to your selected currency.

The Turkish lira (TL) is the official currency of Turkey. Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

Greece has an almost ideal climate—plenty of sunshine and dry air most of the year. During spring and early fall, days are very comfortable, with temperatures ranging from 60 degrees F to 80 degrees F. The beaches are less crowded and the water is still warm enough for swimming. In spring, Athens's surrounding hills come to life with gentle hues of green and colorful wild flowers. Summer heat is greatly tempered by coastal breezes, but on calm days, Athens can be very hot.

Jan

Avg. High57

Avg. Low45

Avg. Inches of Precipitation1.9

Feb

Avg. High57

Avg. Low45

Avg. Inches of Precipitation1.6

Mar

Avg. High60

Avg. Low47

Avg. Inches of Precipitation1.6

Apr

Avg. High67

Avg. Low53

Avg. Inches of Precipitation1.0

May

Avg. High75

Avg. Low60

Avg. Inches of Precipitation0.6

June

Avg. High84

Avg. Low68

Avg. Inches of Precipitation0.2

July

Avg. High89

Avg. Low73

Avg. Inches of Precipitation0.2

Aug

Avg. High89

Avg. Low73

Avg. Inches of Precipitation0.3

Sept

Avg. High83

Avg. Low67

Avg. Inches of Precipitation0.4

Oct

Avg. High74

Avg. Low60

Avg. Inches of Precipitation1.9

Nov

Avg. High66

Avg. Low54

Avg. Inches of Precipitation2.2

Dec

Avg. High59

Avg. Low48

Avg. Inches of Precipitation2.5

Area: 50,942 square miles

Capital: Athens

Languages: Greek

Ethnicity: Greek 98%, Other 2%

Location: Greece is bordered by Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey, the Ionian Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the Sea of Crete.

Geography: The ancient nation of Greece is the land terminus of southeastern Europe. Greece spreads between the Ionian Sea on the west, the Aegean Sea on the east, and the Sea of Crete to the south. In these surrounding seas are the more than 1,400 Greek islands. With its island territory, Greece encompasses 50,942 miles and is actually larger than it appears, exceeding its neighbor Bulgaria in size.

Population (2009 estimate): 10,737,428

Religions: Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%

Time zone: Greece is on Eastern European Time, seven hours ahead of U.S. EST. When it is 6am in New York, it is 1pm in Greece.

It’s easy to understand foreign currency with our Currency Cheat Sheet. Simply choose the currency you will be using on your trip from the drop-down menu below. The pop-up window will display the real-time conversion of the U.S. dollar to your selected currency.

The euro is the official currency of Greece. Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

What to Know

For more detailed information about this trip, download our Travel Handbook below. This document covers a wide range of information on specific areas of your trip, from passport, visa, and medical requirements; to the currencies of the countries you’ll visit and the types of electrical outlets you’ll encounter. This handbook is written expressly for this itinerary. For your convenience, we've highlighted our travelers' most common areas of interest on this page.

Transportation

Cuisine

Travel Documents

Passport

It should be valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled return to the U.S.

It should have the recommended number of blank pages (refer to the handbook for details).

The blank pages must be labeled “Visas” at the top. Pages labeled “Amendments and Endorsements” are not acceptable.

Visas

U.S. citizens will need a visa (or visas) for this trip. In addition, there may be other entry requirements that also need to be met. For your convenience, we’ve included a quick reference list, organized by country:

Turkey: Visa required.

Travelers who are booked on this vacation will be sent a complete Visa Packet— with instructions, applications, and a list of visa fees—approximately 100 days prior to their departure. (Because many countries limit the validity of their visa from the date it is issued, or have a specific time window for when you can apply, we do not recommend applying too early.)

If you are not a U.S. citizen, do not travel with a U.S. passport, or will be traveling independently before/after this trip, then your entry requirements may be different. Please check with the appropriate embassy or a visa servicing company. To contact our recommended visa servicing company, PVS International, call toll-free at 1-800-556-9990.

Vaccinations Information

For a detailed and up-to-date list of vaccinations that are recommended for this trip, please visit the CDC’s “Traveler’s Health” website. You can also refer to the handbook for details.

Before Your Trip

Before you leave on your vacation, there are at least four health-related things you should do. Please check the handbook for specifics, but for now, here’s the short list:

Step 1: Check with the CDC for their recommendations for the countries you’ll be visiting.Step 2: Have a medical checkup with your doctor.Step 3: Pick up any necessary medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.Step 4: Have a dental and/or eye checkup. (Recommended, but less important than steps 1-3.)

What to Bring

In an effort to help you bring less, we have included checklists within the handbook, which have been compiled from suggestions by Program Directors and former travelers. The lists are only jumping-off points—they offer recommendations based on experience, but not requirements. You might also want to refer to the climate charts in the handbook or online weather forecasts before you pack. Refer to the handbook for details.

Insider Tips

Get more out of the destinations on this trip through our Program Directors' Insider Tips. From suggestions on the best places to find authentic food, drink, and handcrafts, to insights on local customs and cultures, with the Insider Tips below, you can discover a wealth of inside information on your destinations—before you go.

Special Places & Pastimes

A nice way to experience Istanbul from the local side is to ride the electric tram on Istiklal Avenue. It’s very inexpensive (less than one dollar US) and you don’t need to worry about getting tickets in advance—simply hop on and pay aboard the tram. The red cars cross through the Beyoğlu district along the now pedestrian-only Istiklal on a route that has been in use since the early 20th century, and the tram cars have been restored to match the original models.

Get more out of the destinations on this trip through our Program Directors' Insider Tips. From suggestions on the best places to find authentic food, drink, and handcrafts, to insights on local customs and cultures, with the Insider Tips below, you can discover a wealth of inside information on your destinations—before you go.

Local Culture & Etiquette

When you come to a place like Turkey, there are so many things you want to photograph to remember. But you will be seen as a much more polite person if you stop first and ask, “Izin verir misiniz” (ee-zin vehr-reer mee-zin-eez), which means “May I have your permission?” To Turkish people, this suggests you are a kinder, more thoughtful person, and it shows that you have learned about our culture before coming.

Program Directors

Accommodations

Main Trip

Titanic City Hotel

Istanbul, Turkey

Located within walking distance of Taksim Square and downtown Istanbul, the modern Titanic City Hotel is an ideal base from which to explore the city and its legendary sites. Amenities include a restaurant and bar as well as a fitness center, spa services, and an indoor pool. Each of the hotel’s 183 rooms offers a view of Istanbul and is equipped with satellite TV, minibar, and private bath with shower.

Kolin Hotel

Canakkale, Turkey

Located in historic Canakkale, the Kolin Hotel offers 276 rooms, each equipped with modern conveniences and 24-hour room service. Break from your discoveries to stroll through the hotel’s sprawling gardens or play a game of tennis on the on-site courts. Then, at the end of the day, relax in the indoor pool, Turkish baths, or bar and lounge area.

Hilton Hotel

An above average First Class hotel with some outstanding features and a broad range of services. Guest rooms and public areas are tastefully furnished and very comfortable.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

Conveniently located in the heart of Izmir's commercial district, the Superior First-Class Hilton Hotel places shopping and entertainment opportunities at your fingertips. After your explorations, unwind at the hotel's indoor pool, sauna, or massage parlor. Also on the property are a dining room and coffee shop, lobby lounge and bar, tennis and squash courts, a fitness center, beauty salon, and gift shop. Your air-conditioned room features satellite TV, telephone, minibar, and private bath with shower and hair dryer.

The Marmara Antalya Hotel

An above average First Class hotel with some outstanding features and a broad range of services. Guest rooms and public areas are tastefully furnished and very comfortable.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

The Superior-First Class Marmara Antalya Hotel is located five minutes from downtown Antalya, with convenient bus access to the beach, as well as nearby museums and ancient ruins. The hotel features an on-site restaurant, bar, gym, and spa, as well as rooms featuring views of either the city or the Mediterranean Sea and Tarsus Mountains. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, high-speed wireless Internet, cable TV, and a private bath with hair dryer.

Doubletree Hotel Avanos

An above average First Class hotel with some outstanding features and a broad range of services. Guest rooms and public areas are tastefully furnished and very comfortable.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

This Superior First-Class, 126-room hotel features indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a health club with Turkish bath, restaurant, lounge, and more. Its rooms include a flat-screen TV, complimentary wireless Internet access, and a private bath.

Ankara Hilton SA Hotel

Basically a Deluxe hotel, but frequently more heavily marketed to business clients or groups. Expect outstanding accommodations and public rooms. May not be as intimate or exclusive or may have less emphasis on atmosphere or personal service.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

Extensions

Metropolitan Hotel

Basically a Deluxe hotel, but frequently more heavily marketed to business clients or groups. Expect outstanding accommodations and public rooms. May not be as intimate or exclusive or may have less emphasis on atmosphere or personal service.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

Located in central Athens, the Moderate-Deluxe Metropolitan Hotel offers you a modern retreat amid the history that surrounds you in Athens. While here, enjoy the outdoor pool, health club, and three on-site restaurants. Your air-conditioned room features cable/satellite TV, a telephone with voicemail, high-speed Internet access, minibar, safe, and private bath with shower and hair dryer.

El Ruha Hotel

Urfa, Turkey

Resembling a fortress, the El Ruha Hotel is constructed of local stone and is situated near Golbasi, a man-made lake filled with carp. The El Ruha features a variety of restaurants and bars located in natural caverns, and its 88 air-conditioned rooms include satellite TV, Internet access, and private bath with hair dryer.

Adana Hilton SA Hotel

An above average First Class hotel with some outstanding features and a broad range of services. Guest rooms and public areas are tastefully furnished and very comfortable.

Understanding our Hotel RatingsMany of our accommodations feature ratings based on classifications from the Hotel and Travel Index, a travel industry standard for over 70 years. Their unique 10-tier system categorizes hotels as Deluxe, First Class, or Tourist Class, and may further define a category as Superior, Moderate, or Limited-Service.

This modern hotel is conveniently located on the banks of the River Seyhan, by the city’s Roman Stone Bridge. All 308 rooms include modern conveniences and offer views over the river, the Sabancu Mosque, and downtown Adana. The hotel also features a choice of restaurants and bars.

Flight Information

Flight Options to Personalize Your Trip

You can choose to stay longer before or after your trip on your own, or combine two vacations to maximize your value.

Extend your vacation and lower your per day cost with our optional pre- and post-trip excursions

Choose our standard air routing, or work with us to select the airline and routing you prefer

Make your own international flight arrangements directly with the airline, applying frequent flyer miles if available

International airport transfers to and from your ship or hotel, including meet and greet service, are available for purchase

Stay overnight in a connecting city before or after your trip

Request to arrive a few days early to get a fresh start on your vacation

Choose to "break away" before or after your trip, spending additional days or weeks on your own

Combine your choice of Grand Circle vacations to maximize your value

Upgrade to business or premium class

The air options listed above will involve an additional fee of $100 per person for confirmed requests (as well as incremental airfare costs based on your specific choice).

Gateway

Travel Time*

New York (JFK)

10 hrs

Boston

12 hrs

Philadelphia

13 hrs

Chicago, Detroit, Washington, DC (Dulles)

14 hrs

Atlanta

15 hrs

Dallas, San Francisco

16 hrs

Denver, Minneapolis, Seattle

17 hrs

Baltimore, Phoenix

18 hrs

Portland, OR

19 hrs

Los Angeles, Tucson

20 hrs

*Estimated total time including connections and layovers. Actual travel time may vary.

The following information is your approximate flight time to Istanbul, Turkey. Routing is based on availability and subject to change. You will receive your final air itinerary approximately 14 days prior to departure.

Partner since:1992Total donated:$365,595

Making a difference in Turkey

Simply by traveling with Grand Circle, you support the work of the nonprofit Grand Circle Foundation. Alan and Harriet Lewis created the Foundation with the mission of changing people's lives through travel—which includes both the travelers who journey with Grand Circle, and the local people who welcome us so warmly into their homelands.

Learn more about our work in Turkey, and what you'll experience during your itinerary:

Preserving History for the Future

Grand Circle Foundation is proud to work with historic sites around the globe. We contributed to the UNESCO World Monuments Fund, as well as smaller preservation organizations—just by traveling with us, you are helping us change lives in this historic and irreplaceable site.

Preserving History for the Future

Grand Circle Foundation is proud to work with historic sites around the globe. We contributed to the UNESCO World Monuments Fund, as well as smaller preservation organizations—just by traveling with us, you are helping us change lives in this historic and irreplaceable site.

Ephesus

Partner since: 1992 • Total donated: $105,000

Since 1992, Grand Circle Foundation has been contributing to the preservation and ongoing excavations of this historic site via donations to the Foundation of Friends of Ephesus. As a traveler in this ancient city, it is easy to feel the pulse of history under your footsteps. Here, it is said that the Gospel of John was written, and the Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We are proud to bring travelers on our Turkish departures right into the heart of history on this site that is over 3,000 years old.

Supporting a World Classroom: Turkey

By funding improvements at local schools, the Foundation's World Classroom initiative is focused on supporting society's most precious resources: its children. In Turkey, you'll visit a school funded by Grand Circle Foundation. Our projects have included building a new kitchen, repairing the heating system, and much more.

Supporting a World Classroom: Turkey

By funding improvements at local schools, the Foundation's World Classroom initiative is focused on supporting society's most precious resources: its children. In Turkey, you'll visit a school funded by Grand Circle Foundation. Our projects have included building a new kitchen, repairing the heating system, and much more.

"The visit to the school and the joy and enthusiasm of the students was truly outstanding! They were so welcoming, and they loved the attention-especially having their picture taken."

Edith Heins
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Schools of Rural Turkey

Partner since: 2007 • Total donated: $78,818

Grand Circle Foundation currently supports nine schools in Turkey, including Ataturk Primary School, Hacibektas High School, and Kiriklar Primary School. Over the years, our funds have helped the local schools in a variety of ways based on their individual needs. These projects include helping to build science and computer labs and a playground; repair a heating system; purchase projectors, computers, athletic equipment, and kitchen supplies; renovated rooms, and acquire a much-needed supplies such as musical instruments, laptops, books, and toys.

Several schools in one town have combined their efforts toward a particularly exciting project: the construction of a shared kitchen. The completed facility, which can produce 1,188 lunches daily, has more than doubled the town’s ability to provide partially or fully subsidized, healthy lunches for their students.

School in session:

Mid-September through early June, with periodic closures for Muslim holidays.

Gifts to bring if you're visiting:

Alan and Harriet Lewis founded Grand Circle Foundation in 1992 as a means of giving back to the world we travel. Because they donate an annually determined amount of revenue from our trips, we consider each one of our travelers as a partner in the Foundation’s work around the world. To date, the Foundation has pledged or donated more than $97 million in support of 300 different organizations—including 60 villages and nearly 100 schools that lie in the paths of our journeys.

Cooking demonstration. Learn how to prepare local specialties like eggplant salad and halva (a popular dessert).

The Art of Pottery in Asia Minor visit. Meet with a potter in his unique cave workshop.

Turkish hand-woven carpet discussion. Discover the Turkish tradition of hand-looming at a carpet center during an informative discussion.

Enjoy the opportunity to visit 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Historic Center of Istanbul

Troy

Hieraopolis-Pammukkale

Goreme Open-Air Museum & Cappadocia

Hattusas

10 Reasons to experience Crossroads of Turkey—in the words of our travelers

The best endorsements of our discovery-rich vacations come directly from those who have traveled there. From ancient ruins to bustling markets to the warm welcome of locals, here are some memorable experiences our travelers shared from our Turkey tour.

Ephesus
"Most memorable moment for me was probably the library at Ephesus. I was a school librarian for over 14 years and seeing that fabulous library facade just awed me."A 6-time traveler from Wesley Chapel, FL

Local art and architecture
"The frescoes, mosaics and tiles in the mosques and churches are astonishing. Highlights were the mosaics in the second floor gallery at Aya Sofya and the frescoes and mosaics in the Chora Museum, a Byzantine church whose impressive interior decorations were carried out between 1315 and 1321. And, of course, the gorgeous Iznik tiles in the Blue Mosque."An 8-time traveler from Gainesville, FL

Ballooning Over Moonscape optional tour
"... it would be a huge mistake to miss the Balloon Ride over Cappadocia—it was absolutely one of the highlights of our experience in Turkey ... It is impossible to explain or to capture in photos the feeling of peace and tranquility of gliding smoothly and soundlessly at low and higher altitudes as the sun peeked above the hills of Cappadocia; our ballooning was topped off after a gentle landing with Champagne. A truly great, great, great experience."A 6-time traveler from Bartlett, TN

Local people
"The Turkish people are warm and engaging—so very friendly. There usually was no language barrier; many times a passer-by would stop and translate for us."A 6-time traveler from Cody, WY

Ankara
"... the standout moment in Ankara was visiting the Mausoleum of Ataturk, Turkey's revered founder of the Republic and the first President of Turkey. Hundreds of high school kids from all over Ankara were there in the huge square demonstrating with chants and flag waving for Turkish solidarity. It was a moving moment!"A 2-time traveler from Hayward, CA

East Meets West optional tour
"Take the optional tour with the boat ride on the Bosphorus. It is glittering and gorgeous, and watching and discussing the Russian oil tankers emerging from the Black Sea portal on their journey to the Mediterranean was particularly fascinating at this juncture in current events."A 2-time traveler from Atlantic Beach, FL

Local cuisine
"I greatly appreciated farmers markets (would you believe 36 different kinds of olives?), the delicious cheese and spinach gozleme cooked on an open air oven fired with small branches, the impromptu helping of local farmers to harvest olives from live trees, the meals at unique restaurants (baked fresh mushrooms with cheese, lamb stew baked in sealed clay pots that are broken to pour out the fragrant contents, beef kebaps and pide cooked in brick ovens in full view) ... do not miss the dark pine honey, even tastier than our sourwood one and drenching all kinds of baklava and other goodies."A first-time traveler from Rochester, NY

Program Director
"Our guide, Rana, was amazing. Very knowledgeable and a wonderful travel companion. She was familiar with the itinerary and able to get us to popular sights when there were virtually no crowds."A 6-time traveler from Simsbury, CT

Urfa & Adana, Turkey post-trip extension
"Most of all ... we were impressed by the ancient places we visited on the extension tour to Urfa & Adana, of which Gobekli Tepe (ca. 12,000 BC) was the absolutely outstanding site."A 2-time traveler from Harrisonburg, VA

For reservations and information about our Turkey tour, call us toll-free at 1-800-221-2610

Humble Feasts

How bread anchors Turkish cuisine

by Julia Hudson, Grand Circle associate

... Perhaps the tastiest fact about Turkish breads is that up until recent decades, the vast majority was homemade.

“The tree’s roots are in the earth, man’s roots are in bread.”

Turkey is famed for warm hospitality, and a visitor may find themselves invited for an impromptu cup of cay, or tea, or even an entire family meal at the home of a new best friend they have met that day. Stories abound of travelers in Turkey who are fed, advised, and even transported to their destinations by friendly local people who want to make sure they are made welcome in their country. Though Turkey is officially a secular state, many of these traditions come from Koranic tenets to provide hospitality, and also to accept it when it is offered. It should be no surprise, then, that Turkey is a fascinating country in which to share a meal, or “break bread.”

Bread is often called the foundation of Turkish food. In Turkey, fresh bread is eaten at every meal, and it is often said that a Turk is never really full until he or she has consumed bread. In fact, both wheat and water are considered holy substances, and it is thought that the Archangel Gabriel taught Adam to bake bread, making Adam the patron saint of bakers. So anyone who eats bread is a lucky person, and blessed by God—throwing away bread is a “sin,” even if the bread is stale, about to mold, and no one plans to eat it.

Turkish breads are often recognizable by their use—or lack—of leavening. Many of the country’s best-known breads are flatbreads, such as pide (known to westerners as “pita”), lavash, bazlama, and markook. All these breads have something to recommend them, whether it’s the convenient “pocket” in a round of pita (caused by a steam bubble that forms inside during baking) or the softness of fresh lavash, which makes it popular to use in wrap sandwiches like street-kiosk kebab. But perhaps the tastiest fact about Turkish breads is that up until recent decades, the vast majority were homemade.

In fact, so much bread used to be baked at home that it was considered a sign of poverty to purchase “market bread,” as it implied that you did not have an oven of your own. Or it meant that you were not a member of the community—perhaps a student, foreigner, or government official, living in a temporary housing arrangement and outside the norms of family life. Among those who do still bake homemade bread, it is often made twice a day—in the morning and again in the evening, so that every meal can be eaten alongside fresh loaves.

The tools of the trade

Baking bread in the Turkish style often requires special implements, tools whose very existence underscores the importance of this staple food. For example, when bread needs to be preserved, yufka is the bread of choice. Yufka is made from an unleavened dough containing only flour, water, and salt, and it is rolled out with a thin, long oklava rolling pin that is not wide in the center as most rolling pins. The yufka is baked on a convex griddle known locally as a sac (in other parts of Asia, the same griddle is called a tavah, tawah, or saj). Once the yufka is baked, it is usually dried and stored in tall stacks, to be refreshed with a sprinkling of water and left to rest and re-hydrate for ten minutes before it is time to eat.

Though there is wide variety already evident in Turkish breads, from these flatbreads to the yeasty round of bagel-like simit, or the myriad dessert pastries that the region is known for (baklava, anyone?), Turkish cooks often move bread right to the center of the plate and add even more variety. Some breads, such as sac katmeri, çokelekli, and pancarlı, are all thin breads that are often topped with greens, potatoes, or meat. Resembling a sort of pizza, these humble foods make for filling and satisfying meals that can be made quickly.

Bread is a comfort food and a staple the world over. But only in Turkey is the basis of every meal a wheat dough, and only here does every home cook know how to turn this humble ingredient into a meal that will make anyone who drops by feel welcome.

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Titanic City Hotel

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Located in historic Canakkale, the Kolin Hotel offers 276 rooms, each equipped with modern conveniences and 24-hour room service. Break from your discoveries to stroll through the hotel’s sprawling gardens or play a game of tennis on the on-site courts. Then, at the end of the day, relax in the indoor pool, Turkish baths, or bar and lounge area.

Conveniently located in the heart of Izmir's commercial district, the Superior First-Class Hilton Hotel places shopping and entertainment opportunities at your fingertips. After your explorations, unwind at the hotel's indoor pool, sauna, or massage parlor. Also on the property are a dining room and coffee shop, lobby lounge and bar, tennis and squash courts, a fitness center, beauty salon, and gift shop. Your air-conditioned room features satellite TV, telephone, minibar, and private bath with shower and hair dryer.

The Superior-First Class Marmara Antalya Hotel is located five minutes from downtown Antalya, with convenient bus access to the beach, as well as nearby museums and ancient ruins. The hotel features an on-site restaurant, bar, gym, and spa, as well as rooms featuring views of either the city or the Mediterranean Sea and Tarsus Mountains. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, high-speed wireless Internet, cable TV, and a private bath with hair dryer.

This Superior First-Class, 126-room hotel features indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a health club with Turkish bath, restaurant, lounge, and more. Its rooms include a flat-screen TV, complimentary wireless Internet access, and a private bath.

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Resembling a fortress, the El Ruha Hotel is constructed of local stone and is situated near Golbasi, a man-made lake filled with carp. The El Ruha features a variety of restaurants and bars located in natural caverns, and its 88 air-conditioned rooms include satellite TV, Internet access, and private bath with hair dryer.

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Join us for a full-day optional East Meets West tour. First, you visit the extraordinary Dolmabahce Palace, built in the mid-19th century by order of Sultan Abdul Mecit I. The facade of the palace stretches for more than 1,200 feet on the European shores of the Bosporus. Its vast reception salon, with 56 columns and a huge crystal chandelier (weighing four and a half tons and lit by 750 lights) never fails to astonish visitors. Next you'll board a private boat for a cruise on the Northern Bosporus. You cruise back to the European side at Tarabya and disembark for lunch at a seafood restaurant overlooking the Bosporus. Afterwards, we visit the Sadbergk Hanim Museum, a private collection of furniture, art, and antiquities housed in a villa decorated in traditional Ottoman style. The cost of this optional tour includes lunch.

Pergamum - $85/person

On this optional full-day tour you visit Pergamum, an important cultural center built high on a hilltop. We stop to view the fascinating ruins at Pergamum, a remarkably well-preserved ancient city, which was home to a library of more than 200,000 parchment volumes. Pergamum was known as a center of medicine where the famous doctor of antiquity, Galen, worked in the Asklepeion (sanatorium) and wrote several hundred medical books. During the Christian period, its Temple of Serapis was converted to a basilica dedicated to St. John, and the city is featured in the saint's Book of Revelation.

Magic of the Mediterranean - $60/person

Join us for an optional Magic of the Mediterranean tour to Aspendos, an ancient city dating to the fourth and fifth centuries BC. Here is the stunning ancient theater in Turkey, so well-preserved, in fact, that you can see the names of Roman spectators carved into the backs of the seats—a bit of ancient graffiti. You'll also visit Perge, where St. Paul gave some of his first sermons. Originally settled by the Hittites in 1500 BC, Perge thrived during the Roman Empire. The ruins here, which include an ancient theater and stadium, create an excellent impression of the look and feel of an ancient city.

Whirling Dervishes - $35/person

On this evening optional tour, you'll have the opportunity to witness a ritual dance performance by the Whirling Dervishes, monks of the Mevlevi sect of Islam founded in the 13th century. During the dance, called a sema, the dervishes believe that their souls are released from their earthly ties and are free to joyfully commune with the divine. The dervishes spin shoulder to shoulder, both around their own axis and around one other, representing the Earth revolving on its own axis while orbiting the sun. The dancers are silent while performing the sema, accompanied by drums and chanting, as the ritual gradually transforms itself into rapid, spinning ecstasy.

Ballooning Over Moonscape - $195/person

You can rise early with us this morning (weather permitting) and get a new perspective on the intriguing tufa landscapes, while gliding smoothly above them on this optional hot-air balloon excursion. Sip a cup of hot coffee or tea as the crew prepares the balloon, then climb aboard. See the soft light of dawn spread over Cappadocia, as the balloon flight varies from low contour to get a good look at the sculpted tufa, to a somewhat higher altitude to give you a panoramic view of this strangely shaped landscape of eroded pillars and cones. After a gentle landing, enjoy a light breakfast on-site and celebrate your adventure with a glass of Champagne. You will receive a flight certificate to acknowledge your airborne experience.

Okan Cuhan

96% of travelers rated Okan as "excellent"

"Okan is knowledgeable, personable, and has an excellent command of English. He is always in control, yet is never controlling. Okan is a superb Group Leader."

Helen Hyland 21-time traveler from Newington, Connecticut

Get to know Okan

Born

Ankara, Turkey

Resides

Istanbul, Turkey

Languages

English, Turkish

Hobbies & Interests

Playing piano, skiing, motorsports, hiking, and travelling

With us since 1996

I had a very comfortable childhood, growing up in the capital of Turkey. I lived in a very modern neighborhood which is where both the President and Prime Minister of Turkey now live. I learned English at an American school and developed a love of travel early on. I have now been to not only America but 10 other countries in Europe and Asia, from Holland to Singapore. My love of travel and language serve me well as a Program Director.

On every trip, I try to find different special moments along the way. Sometimes, we stop the bus and walk into the fields where the villagers are working, and the travelers interact with them in their own ways. It’s interesting how two cultures can find a way to communicate with each other with no common language. Grand Circle values local people and their cultures, which makes us different from so many other companies.

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